Lakers welcome maximum eight preseason games for extra evaluation

Oct. 17, 2016

Updated 7:12 p.m.

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The Lakers' Larry Nance Jr., left, and D'Angelo Russell, right, and Sacramento's Arron Afflalo scramble for the ball during a preseason game last week in Las Vegas. The Lakers are one of a few teams playing the maximum eight preseason games. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

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Lakers center Timofey Mozgov, right, enjoys a moment with assistant coach Jesse Mermuys, left, during warm-ups before a recent preseason game. With so many new faces on a young roster, the Lakers are happy to be playing the maximum eight preseason games this month. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

The Lakers' Larry Nance Jr., left, and D'Angelo Russell, right, and Sacramento's Arron Afflalo scramble for the ball during a preseason game last week in Las Vegas. The Lakers are one of a few teams playing the maximum eight preseason games. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

Under normal circumstances, he’d prefer an October schedule like the Clippers or even the Warriors. But this month, his Lakers are among just a handful of teams that will complete an eight-game preseason schedule.

“I think it’s good for us,” Walton said. “Normally I would say let’s play six and have more practice time, but I think for our group it’s good to get some run against other teams.”

Where most teams are moving to fewer preseason games in an effort to reduce the strain on their players, the Lakers are trying to take full advantage of a busy slate. In addition to a first-year head coach in Walton, the Lakers have two new starters and the No. 2 pick in June’s draft, Brandon Ingram, coming off the bench.

Eight remains the maximum number of games. And although the NBA has discussed reducing that number, most teams already play six or seven. Only a few, including the Lakers, Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets will play eight this season.

The Lakers are 2-4 so far, with games against the Warriors on Wednesday in San Diego and the Phoenix Suns on Friday in Anaheim remaining.

Each game is a chance for evaluation, Walton said.

“It’s a lot of new guys (playing) together,” Walton said. “It’s a lot of guys we want to get playing time for. It’s one thing to look good in practice every day, which we’ve done, but then how that translates to a game, the more opportunities we have to do that and then be able to come back and make corrections, for right now I think is a benefit for us.”

Last week, Clippers coach Doc Rivers said he preferred a six-game schedule – which his team played last season, as well – because it made it easier for players to log more minutes.

“It’s interesting from a player point of view,” Rivers said. “They want to play in the games, they want to play more minutes because they know they have only six games.”

Few Lakers players are looking for rest in the eight-game schedule, however.

Jordan Clarkson said the extra games are necessary schooling before the regular season tips off on Oct. 26 against Houston – a team that will have played seven preseason games.

“That’s where we get to compete against different people,” he said. “Work on different things. We’re still continuing to put more stuff in, in terms of offensively and still working on our defensive stuff.”

CUTS TO COME

The Lakers are running out of time to decide on their final roster cuts before the regular season starts next week. They currently have 17 players for 15 positions.

“It’s going to be really hard,” Walton said. “Honestly, I have no idea right now who those two will be.”

Veterans Metta World Peace, Yi Jianlian, and Thomas Robinson are thought to be battling for the 15th spot. Yi last played in the NBA in 2012, but has starred in China since then and was considered the likely backup at center.

Robinson has played for five teams in his first four NBA seasons – the Lakers would be his sixth – while the 36-year-old World Peace was a surprise add to the training camp roster after appearing in 35 games with the Lakers last season.

“Everyone’s worked very hard and has been great,” Walton said. “Done everything we’ve asked. Been good teammates. It’s going to be a very tough decision when we have to make it.”

Walton said he will discuss the options with General Manager Mitch Kupchak, and then meet with the released players.

“I like honesty,” Walton said. “I’ll meet with whoever those players are, and give them my honest opinion of why we did it and I think most players will respect that.”

ALSO

Walton said he did not know whether Clarkson would remain in the starting lineup after shooting 4 for 14 from the field Saturday against Golden State. He averaged 14.4 points through five games as a reserve. … Jose Calderon did not practice Monday because of the left calf strain that kept him out of Saturday’s loss. Walton said the Lakers would “take the time to make sure it’s 100 percent before we get into the regular season.”

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